Short Summary

Six Trucial States in the Arab Gulf declared themselves the independent sovereign state of the Union of Arab Emirates at Dubai on Thursday (2 December).

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Six Trucial States in the Arab Gulf declared themselves the independent sovereign state of the Union of Arab Emirates at Dubai on Thursday (2 December). The new state is applying for Arab League and United Nations membership.

Rulers or representatives of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm al Quaiwann met at the ruler of Dubai's seaside guest palace for the ceremony. The Iranian occupation of three disputed Gulf islands dampened celebration, however. The occupation of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb earlier in the week has caused riots, demonstrations and the severance of iraq's diplomatic relations with Iran and Britain.

Nevertheless, British political resident int eh Gulf, Sir Geoffrey Arthur, signed a new Treaty of Friendship with U.A.E. President Sheikh Zaid of Abu Dhabi. Sir Geoffrey had just completed visiting all six emirates to terminate treaties, which Britain has held with them for over a century. Sir Geoffrey conveyed messages of congratulation and good wishes to the leaders of the U.A.E. from Britain's Prime Minister Edward Heath.